Henri Le Roy’s engraving, “Achttien Vogels”, c1650

Henri Le Roy (1579–1652)

“Achttien Vogels” (Eighteen Birds), 1638–(before) 1669, plate 5 in the series, “Vogels” (Birds), published in Paris by Herman Weyen (fl.1638–1669).

See the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.413645.

Although I have been unable to establish whether the composition of this print was designed completely by Le Roy, or if it was an adaption of other artists’ designs, I can see clear visual references to similar friezes of birds by artists such as Nicolaas de Bruyn (aka Nicolaes de Bruyn; Nicolaas de Bruin) (1571–1656) (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Z-1-96); Adriaen Collaert (c1560-1618) (see http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.97180); Wenceslaus Hollar (aka Václav Hollar; Wenzel Hollar) (1607–1677) who in turn copied Francis Barlow (1622–1704) (see http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.32885).

Note that I have listed a similar engraving of birds that I see as very beautiful by an unidentified artist from the circle of Nicolaas de Bruyn, “Five Birds Including Spoonbill”, which is still available: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2020/09/unidentified-printmaker-from-circle-of.html

Engraving with etching on laid paper trimmed with a thread margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 10.1 x 20 cm; (plate) 9.7 x 19.6 cm.

Inscribed on plate: (left) “Anas/ marinas”; (right) “Anas”; (along the lower edge at centre—partly erased) “Herman W[eyen exc.] H[enri le Roy] fecit.” (see Rijksmuseum inv. no. RP-P-1964-2422)

Orn Cat II 12183 (Peter Fuhring 2004, “Ornament Prints in the Rijksmuseum II: The Seventeenth Century”, vol. 3, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum Sound and Vision, p. 274, cat. no. 12183).

Condition: a well-printed impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed with a thread margin around the platemark and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. There is abrasion of the publication details on the lower edge at centre otherwise the sheet is in excellent condition with no significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this engraved frieze of eighteen different birds for AU$257 (currently US$198.97/EUR164.19/GBP141.38 at the time of posting this print) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing small and beautiful engraving from the mid-1600s, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold